Diamond Quality; More Than Meets The Eye
Discerning people appreciate quality. The thought of purchasing a home, an automobile or even a bottle of fine wine that does not meet their standards is simply unheard of. The same holds true with diamonds and diamond jewelry. Diamonds are the hardest natural gemstone known to man. But there’s more to a diamond than meets the eye.
Cut
Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond. Most diamonds are cut with a full 58 facet. It is the Cut that enables a diamond to make the best use of light.
1. When a diamond is cut to ideal proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the diamond.
2. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, one light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.
3. If the Cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.
How a diamond handles light.
The shape of the diamond, however, is largely a matter of personal preference and does not affect the value per se. It is the work of a master cutter that allows the diamond to be cut in such a way as to permit the maximum amount of light to be reflected through the diamond. And that’s a great reflection on you.
Color
The rarest color for a diamond is no color. Because it is the totally colorless diamond that acts as a prism, allowing light to pass effortlessly through the diamond and be transformed into rainbows of color.
The Color grading scale from totally colorless to light yellow: The differences between one grade and another are very subtle, as can be seen by the number of grades in any one category.
Two diamonds that look alike may be very different. And two diamonds of equal size can have very different values. To understand these differences is to understand the 4C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat-weight. It is these characteristics that determine the value of a diamond. When you buy diamond jewelry, you’ll want the diamonds to be the best quality for you.
Clarity
Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance. And a diamond that is virtually free of interior and exterior inclusions is the rarest, for nothing interferes with the passage of light through the diamond. To determine a diamond’s Clarity, it is viewed -under 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Minute inclusions neither mar its beauty nor endanger its durability.
(Flawless) under 10x
(Internally Flawless -minor surface blemishes) under 10x
(Multiple to few – very, very small inclusions)
(Multiple to few – very small inclusions)
(Multiple to few – small inclusions)
(Numerous small to few larger inclusions)
(Imperfect – large eye-visible inclusions)
Carat-Weight
This is the size of the diamond measured in Carats. One carat is divided into 100 points so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats. Size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond. But two diamonds of equal size can have very different values, depending on their color, clarity, and cut.
4 Cs
Diamonds. Think quality first. Paffrath Jewelers are the experts where diamonds are concerned. We can explain the 4C’s in more detail as well as show you diamonds in all quantities and sizes. Paffrath’s will help you find the right diamond for you. It pays to buy your diamonds at Paffrath Jewelers.
Quality.
It’s unmistakable.
And it’s as important in diamonds as in anything else you own.
The ten most popular shapes of a diamond:
- Brilliant
- Princess
- Emerald
- Marquise
- Asscher
- Oval
- Pear
- Heart
- Square Radiant
- Cushion
The different facets of a round brilliant cut diamond:
- Table Star facet
- Bezel facet
- Upper girdle facet
- Girdle
- Lower girdle facet
- Pavilion facet
- Culet